University of California-Los Angeles vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?

Too close to call - both schools are within 3 points

ROI Score Comparison

University of California-Los AngelesPublic - Los Angeles, CA
96
Exceptional Value
Earnings
98(0.95x)
Payback
98(4 yr)
Debt/Earn
96(0.27)
Completion
97(93%)
Repayment
80(83%)
94
Exceptional Value
Earnings
96(0.80x)
Payback
93(5 yr)
Debt/Earn
95(0.28)
Completion
97(91%)
Repayment
87(85%)

The Financial Comparison

University of California-Los Angeles and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are closely matched on financial return. University of California-Los Angeles scores 96/100 while University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scores 94/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.

On cost, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill comes in at $11,655 per year (net price after aid) versus $12,548 at University of California-Los Angeles - a difference of $893 annually, or roughly $3,572 over four years.

Ten years after enrollment, University of California-Los Angeles graduates earn a median of $82,511 compared to $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The payback period is 4 years at University of California-Los Angeles versus 5 years at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Graduates leave University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a median $14,000 in debt versus $14,000 at University of California-Los Angeles. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.27 and 0.28 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.

Head-to-Head Numbers

MetricUniversity of California-...University of North Carol...
Cost
In-State Tuition$15,203$8,994
Out-of-State Tuition$49,403$41,203
Net Price (avg)$12,548$11,655
Total 4-Year Cost$50,192$46,620
Outcomes
Median Earnings (6yr)$52,000$49,900
Median Earnings (10yr)$82,511$72,200
Graduation Rate92.6%91.2%
Payback Period4 yr5 yr
Debt
Median Debt$14,000$14,000
Monthly Payment$148$148
Debt-to-Earnings0.270.28
3yr Repayment Rate83.2%85.4%
5yr Repayment Rate80.9%85.3%
Admissions
Acceptance Rate9.0%15.3%
Enrollment33,47520,752

Net Price by Family Income

Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.

Family IncomeUniversity of Califo...University of North ...
$0-$30,000$5,579$2,004
$30,001-$48,000$6,682$3,918
$48,001-$75,000$9,811$8,538
$75,001-$110,000$14,142$16,415
$110,001+$29,682$24,396

Earnings by Major - Head to Head

Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.

MajorUniversity of Califo...University of North ...
Applied Mathematics$103,887$119,839
Registered Nursing$118,566$78,585
Biomedical Engineering$116,525$97,992
Economics$95,440$103,846
Physics$85,708$103,477
Mathematics$99,269$101,599
Natural Resources Conservation$75,927$65,337
International Relations$74,202$72,001
Chemistry$72,220$64,981
Philosophy$61,754$70,709
Geography and Cartography$67,193$49,476
Area Studies$51,755$65,933
Sociology$64,692$51,801
Romance Languages$55,946$64,570
Linguistic and Comparative Language Studies$62,927$54,181

ROI Sub-Score Breakdown

ComponentUniversity of Califo...University of North ...
Earnings Premium (30%)9896
Payback Period (25%)9893
Debt / Earnings (20%)9695
Completion Rate (15%)9797
Repayment Rate (10%)8087
Overall ROI Score9694
Exceptional Value

The Verdict

These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of California-Los Angeles edges out University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill by 2 points (96 vs 94), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.

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96

University of California-Los Angeles

Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown

94

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown

Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.